Judges 1:18

KJV

Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also Judah {H3063} took {H3920} Gaza {H5804} with the coast {H1366} thereof, and Askelon {H831} with the coast {H1366} thereof, and Ekron {H6138} with the coast {H1366} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hudah also took 'Azah with its territory, Ashkelon with its territory and 'Ekron with its territory.

Berean Standard Bible

And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.

American Standard Version

Also Judah took Gaza with the border thereof, and Ashkelon with the border thereof, and Ekron with the border thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 1:18 records a pivotal early triumph for the tribe of Judah in the period immediately following Joshua's leadership, detailing their successful military capture of the strategically vital Philistine cities of Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron, along with their extensive surrounding territories. This verse powerfully illustrates Judah's initial obedience and formidable military prowess in dispossessing the Canaanite inhabitants, marking a crucial and comprehensive step in the tribal inheritance of the Promised Land, even as it subtly hints at the enduring challenges these unconquered regions would later pose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 1 commences immediately after the death of Joshua, signaling a critical transition from a unified, divinely-directed conquest to a decentralized era of tribal efforts. The chapter meticulously establishes the recurring pattern of incomplete obedience that will define the entire book of Judges. Judah, divinely appointed as the leading tribe, takes the initiative, seeking and receiving divine guidance before embarking on the essential task of completing the territorial inheritance. Judges 1:1-20 meticulously chronicles Judah's initial successes, including the capture of Bezek, Jerusalem, Hebron, and Debir, culminating in the significant coastal victories detailed in verse 18. This verse stands as a high point of achievement for Judah, providing a stark contrast to the subsequent failures of other tribes, and even Judah's own later struggles, as meticulously outlined in the remainder of the chapter.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The cities explicitly named—Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron—were preeminent Philistine strongholds strategically situated on the fertile coastal plain of Canaan. This region constituted a vital corridor for ancient trade routes connecting the powerful empires of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia. The Philistines, identified as one of the "Sea Peoples" who had settled in the region, were formidable adversaries, renowned for their advanced iron technology and robust military presence. The recurring phrase "with the coast thereof" (Hebrew: *gᵉbûwl*) is profoundly significant, indicating that Judah's conquest extended beyond the walled cities themselves to encompass their entire surrounding territories, including vital villages, agricultural lands, and strategic access points to the Mediterranean Sea. This comprehensive capture was absolutely essential for achieving full control and integrating these areas into Judah's tribal inheritance, representing a monumental military and strategic achievement against a powerful enemy in the nascent post-conquest period.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 1:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Judges and the broader Old Testament narrative. It emphatically underscores **Judah's Initiative and Strength**, portraying them as the foremost and most successful tribe in this initial phase of conquest, demonstrating remarkable courage and undeniable divine favor. The verse also highlights the **Strategic Importance of Coastal Cities**, as the successful taking of these Philistine strongholds was paramount for securing crucial trade routes and fertile agricultural land, which were indispensable for Israel's long-term economic and political stability. Furthermore, while representing a significant victory, this verse subtly contributes to the pervasive theme of **Partial Obedience and Lingering Threats**. Despite this initial success, the Philistines would regrettably remain a persistent and formidable enemy throughout Israel's history, indicating that the driving out of all inhabitants was neither permanent nor comprehensively achieved (cf. the immediate follow-up in [Judges 1:19](/judges/1-19 "Judges 1:19 - Judah's Incomplete Conquest") and the earlier description of unconquered territories in [Joshua 13:2-3](/joshua/13-2-3 "Joshua 13:2-3 - Unconquered Philistine Territory")). This foreshadows the broader, tragic pattern of compromise and incomplete obedience that plagues Israel throughout the book of Judges, where many tribes, as vividly depicted in [Judges 1:21-36](/judges/1-21-36 "Judges 1:21-36 - Failures of Other Tribes"), failed to completely dispossess the indigenous inhabitants.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judah (Hebrew, _Yᵉhûwdâh'_):** As the primary subject of this action, "Judah" (H3063) derives from a root meaning "celebrated" or "praised." This tribe's prominent role in taking the initiative in the post-Joshua conquest underscores their divinely appointed leadership and inherent strength. This early success for Judah foreshadows their future significance as the royal tribe from which Israel's kings, and ultimately the Messiah, would descend.

* **Took (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** The verb "took" (H3920, *lâkad*) signifies a decisive and forceful military act of "capturing or occupying" territory, akin to catching something in a net or trap. It denotes a successful and complete acquisition of territory through conquest, emphasizing Judah's effective and definitive seizure of these strategic Philistine cities and their surrounding areas. This term highlights the comprehensive nature of their victory.

* **Coast thereof (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwl'_):** This crucial phrase (H1366, *gᵉbûwl*), meaning "boundary" or "territory inclosed," is vital for understanding the full extent of Judah's conquest. It indicates that Judah did not merely capture the urban centers of Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron, but also their entire surrounding regions, including agricultural lands, villages, and strategic access points. This comprehensive taking of the "border" or "coast" was essential for securing true control and integrating the land into their tribal inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof":** This opening clause immediately establishes Judah's preeminent and active role in the initial phase of the post-Joshua conquest. The capture of Gaza, a major Philistine city and a strategic port, represents a significant military achievement. The inclusion of "with the coast thereof" profoundly emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this conquest, signifying that Judah extended its control beyond the city walls to encompass its entire surrounding territory, including vital trade routes and fertile plains.

* **"and Askelon with the coast thereof":** The repetition of the grammatical structure here underscores and reinforces the continued success of Judah's campaign. Askelon, another key Philistine city situated on the vital coastal plain, was equally strategic in its importance. Its capture, along with its entire surrounding territory, further solidifies the extent of Judah's early victories and their demonstrable ability to dislodge powerful enemies from their fortified strongholds.

* **"and Ekron with the coast thereof":** The final city mentioned in this trio, Ekron, was the northernmost of the five major Philistine city-states. Its capture, once again explicitly stated as "with the coast thereof," completes a remarkable series of decisive victories for Judah. This succession of conquests demonstrates a sustained, effective, and comprehensive military campaign, securing a substantial and strategically important portion of the Philistine plain for Judah's tribal inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device prominently employed in Judges 1:18 is **Repetition**, specifically the recurring phrase "with the coast thereof." This repetitive structure serves to emphatically underscore the comprehensive nature of Judah's conquests, stressing that they secured not just the urban centers but also their vital and extensive surrounding territories. This highlights the thoroughness and completeness of their initial military success. Additionally, the verse effectively utilizes **Listing/Cataloging** by naming the three prominent Philistine cities (Gaza, Askelon, Ekron). This cataloging technique efficiently conveys the broad scope of Judah's achievement and highlights the strategic importance of these specific locations, presenting a concise yet impactful record of their early and significant victories.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 1:18, while primarily a historical record of military triumph, carries profound and enduring theological implications. It powerfully demonstrates the principle of divine enablement intrinsically coupled with human responsibility. God had faithfully promised the land to Israel, but their inheritance required active, obedient participation in dispossessing the inhabitants. Judah's initial success here is a compelling testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His willingness to empower and bless His people when they act in faith and obedience to His commands. However, the broader, unfolding narrative of Judges tragically reveals that this initial success was not sustained; the Philistines, despite these early and significant defeats, would regrettably continue to be a persistent and formidable thorn in Israel's side, vividly illustrating the long-term, detrimental consequences of incomplete obedience and compromise. This verse, therefore, stands as a poignant snapshot of what *could have been* if Israel had fully obeyed God's command to utterly drive out all the inhabitants, highlighting the tragic and cyclical pattern of partial obedience that would inevitably lead to repeated cycles of oppression and divine deliverance throughout the book.

* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")
* [Joshua 13:2-3](/joshua/13-2-3 "Joshua 13:2-3 - Unconquered Philistine Territory")
* [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Benjamin's Failure in Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judah's decisive and comprehensive action in Judges 1:18 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder for believers today regarding the paramount importance of active faith and complete obedience in our spiritual lives. Just as Judah was divinely called to "take" and fully possess the land God had promised, we too are called to actively engage in the spiritual battles before us, diligently dispossessing the "inhabitants" of sin, compromise, and worldly influences from the "territory" of our hearts and lives. This verse celebrates a moment of bold initiative and comprehensive victory, urging us not to settle for partial obedience or to tolerate any "pockets of resistance" within our spiritual walk. The subsequent and prolonged struggles of Israel with the Philistines serve as a solemn cautionary tale: incomplete obedience almost invariably leads to ongoing conflict, spiritual stagnation, and painful compromise. We are therefore profoundly encouraged to pursue the full victory that Christ has already decisively secured for us, diligently applying His truth to every single area of our lives, rather than leaving any "coast thereof" unconquered by His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Judah's initial success in Judges 1:18 challenge me to pursue complete obedience and bold, decisive action in my own spiritual walk?**
* **In what "coastal regions" – specific areas of my life, ingrained habits, or external influences – might I currently be tolerating compromise or incomplete obedience, and what are the potential long-term consequences of such tolerance?**
* **What specific "strongholds" or "inhabitants" (e.g., particular sins, paralyzing fears, worldly desires, or ungodly thought patterns) is God unequivocally calling me to decisively "take" and dispossess from my life today?**

### FAQ

**Why were these cities (Gaza, Askelon, Ekron) so important, and why did Judah's conquest of them not lead to the complete eradication of the Philistines?**

Answer: Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron were three of the five major Philistine city-states (the others being Gath and Ashdod), all strategically situated on the vital coastal plain of Canaan. Their immense importance stemmed from their prime location along major international trade routes connecting Egypt to the north, their exceptionally fertile agricultural lands, and their crucial access to maritime trade. Conquering them, "with the coast thereof," was absolutely crucial for controlling the region's economy, defense, and overall strategic dominance. Judah's success here was undoubtedly a significant military achievement, demonstrating both divine enablement and their own valor. However, this conquest did not lead to the complete eradication of the Philistines for several complex reasons. Firstly, while Judges 1:18 records a victory, [Judges 1:19](/judges/1-19 "Judges 1:19 - Judah's Incomplete Conquest") immediately notes that Judah "could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron." This indicates a significant technological disadvantage and a limitation to Judah's conquest, leaving formidable pockets of Philistine strength intact. Secondly, the broader narrative of Judges and later books like Samuel consistently reveals a pervasive pattern of incomplete obedience among the tribes of Israel. God had explicitly commanded the complete dispossessing of the inhabitants (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")), but Israel often failed to fully comply, choosing instead to live alongside or even intermarry with the remaining Canaanites and Philistines. This partial obedience allowed the Philistines to regroup, rebuild, and remain a persistent and formidable enemy throughout Israel's history, leading to recurring cycles of oppression that would necessitate the rise of figures like Samson and David to confront.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The partial and often incomplete conquest achieved by Judah in Judges 1:18, while representing a significant early victory, ultimately serves as a profound pointer to the complete and decisive spiritual conquest accomplished by Jesus Christ. Judah's valiant but ultimately limited struggle to fully dispossess the inhabitants of the land, particularly the formidable Philistines, powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to fully conquer sin and death on its own strength. Christ, the true and ultimate Son of David (Himself from the tribe of Judah), accomplished with perfect obedience what Israel could not. He did not merely "take" a few cities; He triumphed over all the spiritual strongholds of darkness, disarming principalities and powers and openly shaming them through His cross (as declared in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over Principalities and Powers")). Where Judah faced limitations due to the Philistines' iron chariots, Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, utterly defeated the one who holds the power of death, that is, the devil (as revealed in [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). His "conquest" is not merely territorial but cosmic in scope, establishing His absolute dominion over all creation (as authoritatively declared in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Thus, Judges 1:18, a testament to a fleeting human victory, ultimately directs our gaze to the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world and fully establishes His eternal kingdom, securing a complete and everlasting inheritance for all who believe in Him (as promised in [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 11:22

There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

Judges 3:3

[Namely], five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

Exodus 23:31

And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

1 Samuel 6:17

And these [are] the golden emerods which the Philistines returned [for] a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

Judges 16:1

¶ Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

Judges 16:2

[And it was told] the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed [him] in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

Joshua 13:3

From Sihor, which [is] before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, [which] is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites: